WATCH: Ole Miss basketball breaks through on the road, off to best 20-game start in 11 years
The turnaround has been nothing short of remarkable for Ole Miss basketball under first-year head coach Chris Beard.
Well, except for what, before Saturday, had been one glaring issue.
The Rebels had struggled mightily on the road, including two of the six worst defensive performances of Beard’s decorated career since they tipped off SEC games this month. Beard’s trying to make Ole Miss the fourth separate team he’s led to the NCAA Tournament since 2016.
Texas A&M certainly didn’t make it easy for the Rebels. Actually, Ole Miss found itself trailing by seven with around three and a half minutes left in the game. But the Rebels battled back for a 71-68 win and improved to 17-3 (4-3 SEC) overall.
It’s their best start through 20 games to start a season in 11 years.
“The one stat that doesn’t show up on the stat sheet is heart and poise and togetherness and just fight,” Beard said during his postgame press conference. “I told the guys at halftime, ‘This isn’t a stat-sheet game, man. This is just, every possession, just go out there and fight and scrap.’
“I was just proud of our players. Brandon Murray, eight rebounds and great minutes coming off the bench. Juju (Jaylen Murray) made some good individual plays. So, just proud of our players.
“There’s a good win for us.”
Perhaps most importantly, Ole Miss boosted its already-budding postseason resume.
ESPN had slid the Rebels from comfortably in its projected bracket to the bubble after going winless in two games last week. Saturday represented a golden Quad 1 opportunity. And the Rebels didn’t let it get away.
Murray transferred to Ole Miss from Saint Peter’s in the off-season. He’s started every game at point guard for the Rebels and was responsible for the go-ahead, clutch Ole Miss three from near the half-court logo with 20 seconds left.
Texas A&M twice pulled within a point in the game’s final seconds. However, senior Rebel guard Matthew Murrell made two free throws to put the result on ice. Ole Miss was aided by a 13-2 run at the end of the first half, as well as an 18-8 run at the end of the second.
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“The next game on the schedule is the most important, but when you get to come to your home state and play a game, there’s just something extra in that game,” Beard said. He previously coached at Texas Tech and Texas. His 2019 Red Raiders reached the National Championship.
“Denying that that wouldn’t be truthful.”
Murray scored a team-high 16 points. He made four threes in a game for the fifth time this season.
Brandon Murray’s eight boards were a new, single-game, personal best. Jaemyn Brakefield had 15 points. Allen Flanigan scored 11 and added a steal and a block. Moussa Cisse had three blocks.
Texas A&M was led by Wade Taylor, IV, and his 30 points. Ole Miss next hosts in-state rival Mississippi State Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. CT on SEC Network. The Rebels are riding the longest win streak (12) in SJB Pavilion history. Saturday was their first-ever win in Reed Arena.
“Taylor’s a special player,” Beard said. “Their rebounders are special players. A hard team to guard.”
Here’s everything else Beard said in his postgame press conference.
Also included are highlights and a box score from the win. The highlights were provided by Ole Miss Athletics.
